Meet the Author

The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Today is Lucky Penny Day. There's an old saying - "See a penny pick it up, all day long you have good luck". Find your lucky penny today and see if you happen into some good luck. Sure, a penny won't buy you anything these days, but it may help put a smile on your face if but for a moment. What's your good luck charm? For this author, it's a full pint glass of one of my favorite Colorado craft brews. Here's what's happening around the Colorado beerosphere today Friday, May 23rd, 2014. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Memorial Weekend - Please note that not all breweries will be open on Memorial Day, Monday May 26th. Call ahead to check before venturing out.

Metro Denver

Bierstadt Lagerhaus (Denver) - Former Prost brewers Bill Eye and Ashleigh Carter along with former Rackhouse Pub owner Chris Rippe plan to open their own German-style brewery in the River North area of Denver called Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Like before, Bill Eye has managed to find an old existing copper brewhouse in Bavaria and plans to ship it here to the US and set it up in Denver. Look for an early 2015 opening for this new brewery. Bierstadt Lagerhaus will share a building with a couple other businesses including a cidery and plan to share a common taphouse area. [2875 Blake St, Denver, CO]

Black Shirt Brewing Co (Denver) - Where are you taking your Black Shirt Brewing (BSB) beer this weekend? The brewery wants to see where you take BSB and will be giving away weekly prizes for the best pictures that feature BSB beer. Don't forget to hashtag your location too on Instagram. To enter, take a pic of your BSB can, shirt, or growler in an inspiring place and tag @blackshirtbrewingco in your pic along with the hashtag #BSB2014summertour - Get started! This contest runs weekly and lasts through Labor Day in September. [3719 Walnut St, Denver, CO] Sponsored ad from City Star Brewing - Berthoud, CO.

World of Beer (Cherry Creek/Belmar) - [PRESS RELEASE] World of Beer launches a Nationwide Belgian Brew Tour - Releases an App Update - Offers Chance to Win Belgian Beer Getaway. Belgium: the land of waffles, chocolate, and some of the best beer on the planet. Now, World of Beer (WOB), a rapidly-expanding network of beer-centric taverns known for over 500 craft brews from around the world, craft spirits and Tavern Fare, wants you to see it for yourself by giving customers the opportunity to win a Belgian Beer Getaway. World of Beer is partnering with Global Beer Network for a new program through which loyalty members at participating locations can broaden their craft beer knowledge at Belgian Beer School, try a variety of Belgian brews, and enter for the chance to win a trip to Belgium. The program will run May 19 – June 15, 2014, and can be tracked on the updated WOB app with the acquisition of badges. On June 24, 2014, one lucky winner and their guest will be awarded nine days and nights in Belgium; an unforgettable Belgian beer experience during which they will visit 14 breweries. This collaboration with Global Beer Network and participating WOB locations includes VIP trips to visit beer havens, exclusive parties, giveaways, one-of-a-kind tasting events with unique products and more. New and current Loyalty Club Members will have opportunities to acquire points and share in rare products through exclusive access to beer-centric events via the updated WOB app. To take part in this free contest, customers must first be a WOB Loyalty Club member. After signing up to receive a Global Beer Network passport, customers are invited to try eight different beers, each of which will earn them a stamp on their passport. After enjoying at least six of these eight beers, the customer can turn in their stamped passport to enter the drawing for a chance to win the all-inclusive Belgian Beer Getaway. All who turn in a stamped passport are invited to a Belgian Beer Celebration with exciting and rare Belgian Beer, as well as a 1.5L Magnum for one local winner at each location.

Coda Brewing Co (Aurora) - Don't forget that today is their official Grand Opening. The soft openings are done and the ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 5pm. The brewery will have a full 10 beers on tap today for the occasion including some specialty brews: Hindenberg IPA soaked in Mandarin, Rosalita Chocolate Java Porter, and a Belgian Wit soaked with African Hibiscus. Live music from The Lookout Mountain Boys will highlight the evening. [2101 N Ursula, Unit 10, Aurora, CO]

Epic Brewing Co (Denver) - There will be a special BeerAdvocate gathering on Saturday, May 24th at Epic Brewing from 1-5pm. Todd and Candice Alstrom will be on hand to join in and chat with fellow beer enthusiasts. This event is free to attend, just pay for the beers as you go. [3001 Walnut St, Denver, CO]

Stem Ciders (Denver) - NEW CIDER ALERT! Stem Ciders is tapping a very limited release of L'Acier, sister cider to Le Chene, at their Tap Room tonight. L'Acier is the exact same cider as Le Chene but aged in stainless steel instead of oak barrels. This really allows you to experience and understand what oak aging does to a cider. First poor at 5:00pm. Get some while it's here. [2811 Walnut St, Suite 150, Denver, CO]

Boulder County

Avery Brewing Co (Boulder) - Congrats to Avery Brewing Company for earning the "Best Microbrewery" award last night from Boulder Weekly, an independent publication in Boulder. To find out for yourself why Avery Brewing won, stop by their taproom and taste for yourself. [5763 Arapahoe, Boulder, CO]

300 Suns Brewing (Longmont) - As part of their Shades of IPA series, 300 Suns will have a small batch of a Double-Hopped IPA on tap until it runs out. Tasters only. Come try it out and let them know what you think of it. They are open for business until 10pm tonight! This brew clocks in at 86 IBUs and 6.8% ABV and has aromas of candied pineapple, and undertones of malty, caramel sweetness that balance this IPA’s hoppy bite. [335 1st Ave, Unit C, Longmont, CO]

Fate Brewing Co (Boulder) - Are you running in the the Bolder BOULDER this weekend? If so, save your race bib and bring it in and get a free FATE Core beer! They're opening an hour early (10am) on Monday and serving Brunch until 4pm. Join in! [1600 38th St, Boulder, CO]

Twisted Pine Brewing Co (Boulder) - Lots of new things are budding at Twisted Pine! For instance, have you tried the new IPA, Hop Zealot? Or how about Agaveras, their agave IPA? What about the new Happy Hour from 4-6 Mon-Fri, which includes a $6 one-topping pizza and $1 off all beers, among other awesomeness. Time to get Twisted during this holiday weekend! [3201 Walnut St, Suite A, Boulder, CO]

BRU handbuilt ales & eats (Boulder) - Looking for a great place for Sunday Brunch? stop in at BRU this Sunday from 9:30am to 3pm. Brunch Happy Hour also runs from 9:30am to 11:30am. Also, If you are participating in the Boulder Boulder this Monday bring in your bib and get all day happy hour after the race (Monday May 26th only). Start looking for a gift for Dad for Fathers Day. A BRU gift card will always work. Bomber bottles of Loch, Obitus, Citrum, Beezel and Belux are also available at BRU and local stores. [5290 Arapahoe, Unit I, Boulder CO]

Northern Colorado

City Star Brewing (Berthoud) - City Star plans to be open Memorial Day (May 26th) from 2pm to 9pm. They will also be releasing a small batch beer that day: Lemon Ginger Saison. Just 1 keg of this so try one before it's gone. [321 Mountain Ave, Berthoud, CO]

New Belgium Brewing (Ft. Collins) - Win a Fat Tire Experience! Whether tall-bike jousting, riding cross bikes through rusty junkyards or chopping a bicycle into the ultimate lowrider, we've always appreciated those who appreciate the unconventional. To celebrate we're showcasing some of our favorite mavericks on our web site. Check 'em out, and while you're at it, enter for a chance to win a trip to this year's San Diego Tour de Fat. The Fat Tire Experience doesn't end there; tell us what unconventional activities YOU pair Fat Tire with on Instagram and twitter with the hashtag #pairswell. [500 Linden St, Ft. Collins, CO]

Colorado Brewers' Festival (Ft. Collins) - The 25th Anniversary of the Colorado Brewers' Festival is this year. Are you the kind of person who loves to volunteer for beer fests? If so, volunteers are needed. When you sign up to volunteer you get a beer tasting wristband and mug that is good for both days of the festival (June 28 + 29). Sign up at: http://dofo.co/volunteer - #COBF #Focorocks

Compass Cider (Ft. Collins) - Here's a secret... Compass Cider has one barrel, and one barrel only of the Blossomwood Cidery and Compass Cider collaboration: "C". This is a special Cider made from a blend of Blossomwood's "The Reverend," and Compass' "11 Stitches." THey just tapped it and it's reportedly unbelievably good. When it's gone, it's gone until next year. Don't let your friends beat you to it. [216 N College Ave, Ft. Collins, CO]

Crabtree Brewing Co (Greeley) - It's another Firkin Friday. At 5pm sharp they will tap "Return of the JedIPA". May the hops be with you - always. Also, stock up on some 500ml Ginger Bee in the new returnable bottles. Collect, rinse and return 12 empty bottles to the brewery and earn a free beer. [2961 29th St, Greeley, CO]

Southern Front Range

All Colorado Beer Festival (Colorado Springs) - Big festivals take time to plan and already invitations have gone out to Colorado breweries to participate in this year's All Colorado Beer Festival. This year's festival will have room for 70 Colorado breweries and 5 of them have already signed up on the first day. The fest takes place on Saturday, November 1st, 2014 at The Colorado Springs Expo Center, 3650 N Nevada in Colorado Springs, CO. Breweries can sign up at: www.allcoloradobeerfestival.com. Tickets will go on sale starting September 1st, 2014.

Mountains and West

Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival (Beaver Creek Village) - As the unofficial launch of summertime in the mountains, top BBQ chefs from around the state join local chefs in serving up mouth-watering barbecue complemented by thirst-quenching microbrews from over 22 breweries at one of the largest Colorado Microbrewery beer tastings. The final musical lineup is to come, but have recent Grammy Winner Charlie Musselwhite confirmed to perform live during the weekend. In addition to great music, barbecue masters will be competing for bragging rights and $10,000 in cash prizes. On Saturday a panel of professional judges will rate pork, beef and side dishes according to appearance, taste and tenderness. This year, attendees will have the chance to text their vote on Saturday and Sunday to determine the People’s Choice winner for Best Barbecue Vendor. Selected winners will be crowned Saturday and Sunday at 4:10 p.m. on the main stage in Beaver Creek Plaza. More info at the official website.

Festival of the Brewpubs (Arapahoe Basin) - They are still skiing up at A-Basin this weekend and it's the annual beach party in the mountains! Come celebrate the end of the ski season at A-Basin. This is their largest party of the year! Spend the day sampling beer from a variety of Summit County brewpubs for one low price per mug (must be 21). Breweries include Pug Ryan's, Breckenridge Brewery, Dillon Dam Brewery, and more. Enjoy live music 1-4pm, springtime skiing and much more. Event runs from 12pm to 4pm. Cost is $30 w/food or $25 w/out food. More info at their website.

Palisade Brewing Co (Palisade) - Start off your Memorial Weekend with a pint or two of craft beer at Palisade Brewing Company. They'll host a free (no cover) night of live music from Dualakoo and friends from 6-10pm tonight. [200 Peach Ave, Palisade, CO]
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Colorado Beer News is published on Fermentedly Challenged daily (Monday through Friday) with craft beer stories as they break from newsletters, emails and social media sites. This news is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+). If you'd like to subscribe to this daily by email, sign-up here. Please, always drink responsibly and use a designated driver.